Ryan arrived well in time to pick up Alysé. Her plane had just landed. He sent her the message asking her to come out directly. He had his man pick up her luggage.
Alysé took the second exit. She knew there will be no media and no crowd. Ryan was waiting for her there. She walked out of the doors, straight into his arms.
"Missed you terribly," he said kissing her neck.
She clung to him a little longer. "Mmm… it feels warm in your arms."
He pressed her closer. They stood so for a while.
"Hey, isn't that Ryan?" somebody said. Soon there gathered a small crowd of fans eager for a pic with him.
"I am sorry," he said, "My girlfriend has had a long flight. She is exhausted. I need to hurry her back home." He said in all honesty. "Please let us go."
"O that's so sweet!" said the girl. "Make way everyone." She shouted, "It's an emergency."
Ryan picked up Alysé and carried her back to his car.
She kissed his lips as he bent to buckle her. "Love you!" she said.
He walked around the car and climbed into his seat. He pulled on to his seat belt but it would not budge. He tugged again and yet again, but no luck.
"That's odd!" he said
"Let me try," said Alysé. She unstrapped her belt and bent towards Ryan. He held her face in his arms and kissed her slowly and lovingly. "Love you too!" he said caressing her hair and her face.
"You are such a cheat!" she whispered.
Ryan chuckled and strapped her again. Then, strapping himself on, he said, "What do you want to eat?"
Alysé thought for a while and said, Mexican.
Ryan had his manager wait at their favourite restaurant. He sent him the text: 'Mexican.'
They reached home within an hour. This was enough time for his manager to arrange a beautiful candlelit dinner."
Alysé walked into a beautifully lit house with candles and roses. Ryan helped her into the chair and sat opposite her. He poured her favourite wine. She looked at the bottle. "Isn't this the one you were gifted when you won the French open?"
Ryan nodded with a smile, "It's a special occasion today. You have had your first victory. I want to celebrate it."
Alysé smiled. "Thank You"
"To many more such victories," Ryan raised his glass.
"Many-many more!" said Alysé.
The food was hot and sumptuous. They enjoyed it thoroughly.
"Thank You," said Alysé, "The food was delicious."
Ryan helped her out of the chair and led her to the balcony. A brilliant moon welcomed them. "It's a full moon tonight!" she exclaimed.
The air was cooler than usual, Ryan picked up the shawl on the table and wrapping it around her, hugged her from the back.
"They call it a 'Supermoon' – A phenomena when the moon is closest to the earth and looks bigger. It is brilliant because it is emitting the combined lights of the sun and the moon. It is a special time because the moon is at its most powerful phase.
Alysé turned her face slightly towards him. "When did you learn all that?"
"When I looked up the almanac for an auspicious day."
"What for?" Alysé was curious.
Ryan took her left hand and turned the palm upwards. Then stretching his hand a little, he picked up a box from the table. He placed this box on Alysé's palm and said – "Because I wanted to propose to you."
Alysé opened the box. The diamond encased inside captured the moonlight and shone brilliantly. Alysé turned her face and kissed him.
He pulled out the ring from the box and turning her palm again, slid it on her ring finger.
"You are mine for life," he said and kissed the nape of her neck. She turned around and slid her arms over his shoulder and kissed him. "Yours for life," she promised.
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Alysé received a hero's welcome back home. She had surprised everyone, especially her father. 'Bravo! my child.' He stepped forward and embraced her. 'You've proved that Merchants never fail.'
"Thank you, father!"
"Tell me what gift do you want?"
"Your best wishes!"
"O! don't be so modest." Then lowering his voice, he said, "I have a present for you."
Alysé was intrigued, 'What?'
"It will come to you soon."
She knew if her father had chosen something for her, it must be special. "What is it?" she chuckled.
He shook his head, "You'll have to wait!"
She looked at her brother.
But, he zipped his lips and took his place on the sofa chair at the opposite end.
Alysé sighed, "I guess I have no other choice but to wait."
"Come…come, my girl." Her father led her to the sofa. "Sit by my side and tell me how was your trip?"
"It was a fruitful and enriching experience." She was as ambiguous as them.
"O cut the nonsense!" said her father impatiently, "Talk in a language I can understand."
"You tell me your secret, I will tell you mine." She retorted.
Mr Merchant chuckled, "Bargaining with your father, eh?" he stroked her hair fondly and said, "I can't give it out yet, I have promised someone."
Alysé looked at her brother. Milan pursed his lips and nodded.
Alysé sighed and said, "I give up!"
Then taking out a file from her handbag, she handed it to her father and said - "I have signed Jeffery Barclay, Ivan Lendl and Jimmy Rogers as the head coach, assistant coach and team manager. And players – Nadal, Djokovic, Svetlana and Simona Halep."
"Fantastic!" Mr Merchant opened the file and looked through the contracts. After a quarter of an hour, he shut it with satisfaction. "Well done! Now, all you need is a solid partnership."
Alysé nodded.
"What's the progress there? Do you have enough cash to sit in the auction?"
"Some of the brands have agreed to sponsor us. The contract varies from two to three seasons. So, money is not a problem."
"Good!" he nodded with satisfaction. "You have achieved beyond my imagination."
"There is still a lot of work to be done before the auction," said Alysé.
"When is it?"
"Two months from now."